Ten great things that happened this week
Each week, we’re sharing a list of 10 great things that happened at our sites. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Send it to communications@unityhealth.to.
1) New Stroke and Neurology Unit at St. Michael’s launches on World Stroke Day
On World Stroke Day, we celebrated the launch of a new Stroke and Neurology Unit at St. Michael’s Hospital that will provide more tailored, specialized care for stroke and neurology patients. We spoke with Julianne Cavanagh, Operations Lead for the Stroke Program at Unity Health, and Kyshané Fleming, registered practical nurse at St. Michael’s. Check it out.
2) Providence receives Stroke Distinction Award from Accreditation Canada
Providence Healthcare has once again earned Distinction in Stroke Services from Accreditation Canada. Stroke Distinction is a specialty Accreditation program that recognizes health organizations that demonstrate clinical excellence and an outstanding commitment to leadership in stroke care. Congratulations to the many staff and physicians who work with stroke patients at Providence and support Providence’s stroke programming. Learn more about the achievement.
3) Dr. Anne Wormsbecker joins Today’s Parent to answer questions about COVID-19 vaccines for children
As Health Canada reviews the data on Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for 5 to 11 year olds, parents may have questions. Dr. Anne Wormsbecker, pediatrician at Unity Health Toronto, spoke to Today’s Parent about the vaccine safety and shared why her 5 and 7 year old children can’t wait to get their vaccines.
4) St. Michael’s Hospital Academic Family Health Team wins Bright Lights Award
The St. Michael’s Hospital Academic Family Health Team (FHT) won a Bright Lights Award for Community Response to COVID-19 from the Association of Family Health Teams of Ontario. The St. Michael’s FHT collaborated with Sherbourne Health and Inner City Family Health Team to provide care and support to the most vulnerable populations living in Downtown East Toronto.
5) We celebrate our sixth annual Research Month
For our sixth annual Research Month, we’re highlighting how researchers integrated COVID-19 into their work, contributed to changing guidelines for patients, influenced public policy and created exciting innovations. For Research Month, we celebrate how research at Unity Health has thrived. Follow along for stories showing the four pillars of our Research Strategic Plan. Read more.
6) Drs. Janet Smylie and Peter Jüni discuss vaccination rates in Toronto Indigenous communities with the Toronto Star
Dr. Janet Smylie, a Métis physician and director of Well Living House, the Indigenous health research unit at St. Michael’s Hospital, and Dr. Peter Jüni, scientific director of Ontario’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table and director of the Applied Health Research Centre (AHRC) of St. Michael’s Hospital, speak to the Toronto Star about low vaccination rates in Toronto Indigenous communities and how these communities may be impacted by COVID-19 over the winter months.
7) NICU patients at St. Joseph’s and St. Michael’s celebrate Halloween
The littlest patients at St. Joseph’s Health Centre and St. Michael’s Hospital celebrated Halloween in the most adorable way! Take a look at their Halloween costumes.
8) What role does health-care play in reducing climate change? Dr. Ali Abbass weighs in
Dr. Ali Abbass, an anesthesiologist and chief of environmental stewardship and sustainability at St. Joseph’s Health Centre, joins CBC to discuss the role health-care plays in reducing climate change, how anesthetic gases used in surgery contribute to climate change and the strategies specialists can do to use the lowest amounts of anesthetic gases. Learn more.
9) Dr. Atif Zafar breaks down the signs and symptoms of stroke
Would you recognize the signs of a stroke? Dr. Atif Zafar, Director of the Comprehensive Stroke Program at St. Michael’s Hospital, joins Fight Back with Libby Znaimer on Zoomer Radio to discuss the signs, symptoms and timeline for a solid recovery.
10) We spotlight Unity Health researchers who are part of October’s Research Honour Roll
Every month, we celebrate Unity Health researchers who received honours, awards and achievements. Congratulations to all those recognized in October. Learn more about this month’s Research Honour Roll.